Pathways

It is not possible to study the entire content of two or three single-honours degree courses simultaneously. To help with your course selection each science department has created one or more coherent collections of 'Modules' called 'Pathways'.

You choose which pathway subjects you would like to do – three in your first year, transitioning to two in your second and third year. By following a pathway through a particular subject, you are guaranteed to have the necessary pre-requisites for each subsequent year. Please note that some pathways have specific entry criteria. If you are unsure about any of these criteria, please contact the Applicant Enquiries Coordinator.

Double Weighted Pathways

Please note, due to the complexity of subject content, some of our pathways are double weighted. This means you can only take one other pathway with these pathway choices.

Applying

At the point of application, you do not have to specify which three pathways you intend to pursue in your Natural Sciences degree programme. After results day in August, you will be sent a letter by the Department requesting your three pathway choices. Your pathway choices can be further discussed at the start of October during Intro Week.

Subject Area	2025/26 Pathways
Biology	Biology	Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics	Ecology and Conservation	Microbiology and Biomedicine
Chemistry	Chemical Measurement and Analysis	Chemical Synthesis and Structure	*Environmental Chemistry
Computing and Communications	Computing and Communications
Engineering	*Chemical Engineering	*Electronic Engineering	*Mechanical Engineering
Environmental and Earth Science	Earth Science	Environmental Science
Geography	Human Geography	Physical Geography
Mathematics	Single Mathematics	*Double Mathematics
Medical School	Human Physiology and Exercise Science
Physics	*Physics
Psychology	Psychology	*Psychology with British Psychological Society Accreditation

Modules

Each pathway contains a set of modules. These are subjects within your broader pathway area. Some of these modules are mandatory (you must do these), and some are Optional (you can choose from a selection).

Mandatory modules are an essential part of your course and study. These represent the key areas required as part of your Natural Sciences degree. Optional modules provide you with extra skills and knowledge.

You will notice that in most cases, modules in the first year are fixed and more options open up in subsequent years. This is intentional as our pathways have been expertly selected so that your first year covers as much ground as possible to keep your later options open.

Many second and third year optional modules have pre-requisites from the previous year of study. Once you have decided on your pathways and modules these may be discussed in detail at a one-to-one meeting to help resolve any issues at the start of your course where timetable flexibility and course capacity will also be taken into consideration.